The power of second chances | Joseph Charles | TEDxRoxbury

This is a country that claims to be a country of immigrants yet we punish the most vulnerable immigrants the worse. The youth. The kids that are brought here by their parents and have no idea what is going on. Young children who are brought to America without a choice shouldn’t be punished by not having a legal status. Joseph Charles is a first-generation Haitian immigrant who was arrested as a teenager and almost deported. Now, he’s a successful businessman. Born in Haiti and raised in Boston, Joseph Charles has become a leading entrepreneur and restaurateur, with multiple successful eateries to his name. Growing up in a Haitian immigrant family, Joseph developed a deep appreciation for the cultural richness and diversity of food. His mother’s cooking and his father’s entrepreneurial spirit were early influences that set him on a path to become a business owner. With the success of his first restaurant, Rock City Pizza, Joseph was emboldened and decided to expand. As a black, immigrant entrepreneur, Joseph has faced many challenges along the way. Through it all, he remained committed to his vision and his passion for food; persevering through the setbacks and obstacles, using each experience as an opportunity to learn and grow. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at